PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR WORKS ON MAKING
A TREATMENT FOR POST TRAUMATIC
STRESS SYNDROME LESS STRESSFUL

 

April 2001 - One of the most effective treatments for people suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) is exposure therapy, in which a patient is exposed to memories or objects associated with the traumatic event.  Yet despite research that shows exposure therapy works, many psychologists have trouble using it to help their patients.  Many victims of PTSD find the treatment itself very traumatic, and will stop therapy altogether.  So how do you make the treatment less stressful? Carolyn Becker, assistant professor of psychology at Trinity University is working on a strategy that shows promise. “Dialectical behavior therapy was developed for treating borderline personality disorder.  We borrowed from that to help our patients tolerate exposure therapy,” says Professor Becker. “Dialectical behavior therapy is a complex mix of behavior therapy, crises management, western contemplative, and eastern meditative influences.  I refer to it as behavior therapy with a Zen Buddhist twist.” Professor Becker has borrowed several components of dialectical behavior therapy and refined it for patients with PTSD. She says the results have been encouraging and now she is giving workshops to help other psychologists in the treatment for PTSD. To talk to Professor Becker about treatment for PTSD contact Russell Guerrero at (210) 999-8406 or Rguerrer@Trinity.edu.

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Last updated on May 16, 2001 by the Office of Public Relations